Puntland authorities ban three radio stations

Nairobi, March 18, 2013--The Committee to Protect Journalists
is gravely concerned by a recent directive from authorities in Somalia's
semi-autonomous Puntland region banning
local broadcasters from airing content produced outside the region.

In a notice issued March 13, Information Minister Mohamoud
Aideed banned reproduction
of any programs or materials produced by non-Puntland media, singling out three
radio stations that operate outside the region, according to local journalists.
"No radio station can reproduce or air any materials and programs of a media
station that is not licensed under the ministry, such as Radio Ergo, Radio
Bar-Kulan, and Radio Hirad," the memo
read.

Local journalists say the directive may be due to the fact
that two of the stations, Radio Bar-Kulan and Radio Hirad, occasionally air
views of opposition politicians and, having no physical presence in the region,
are able to report freely without fear of reprisal. They said it's not clear
why Radio Ergo is being targeted.

"This order appears to be designed to censor critical
reporting in Puntland ahead of proposed May elections," said CPJ East Africa
Consultant Tom Rhodes. "We call on authorities to reverse this directive
immediately."

According to local journalists, most radio stations are
ignoring the ban until they receive further explanation. A network of 13 local
stations issued a statement saying they will continue to air Radio Ergo
broadcasts until they receive official clarification.

CPJ's repeated calls to the Information Ministry
went unanswered.

Puntland authorities shuttered
independent broadcaster Horseed FM in October last year in the port town of
Bossasso, according to CPJ research. The station remains off air. Authorities
also temporarily
suspended another radio station, Codka Nabadda, in March 2012 but re-opened
the station after the owner negotiated with authorities, local journalists told
CPJ.